Table 4 Reasons for attending an out-of-hours emergency dental service over two time periods: Reason for choice of service

N

%

N

%

N

%

Unable to be seen at other Emergency Dental Service

303

41

170

43

473

42

0.6

My dentist doesn't provide emergency care

195

26

108

27

303

27

0.8

Appointment not available at my dentist

210

28

80

20

290

25

0.002

Easier to get to than my dentist

61

8

55

14

116

10

0.003

My dentist no longer seeing NHS patients

51

7

25

6

76

7

0.68

Cheaper than going to my dentist

12

2

7

2

19

2

0.87

Visiting friends/relatives in area

13

2

12

3

25

2

0.17

For second opinion

19

3

8

2

27

2

0.55

For other reason

10

1

10

3

20

2

0.16